The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

When Yang Lian returned to Beijing to report, 3,000 newly-appointed Jinshi, Imperial College students, and military candidates marched south from the capital. Yellow dust rose for ten miles on the official road, and the 3,000-man team surged out of the south gate of the capital like a black torrent.

The leading students rode on green horses, the hem of their black official uniforms lifted by the north wind, and the newly cast cloud-patterned waist badges on their waists reflected a cold light in the sun. Each badge was engraved with the two characters "Qingzheng" in seal script bestowed by Yi Huawei himself.

"drive!"

The martial arts candidate at the front pulled the reins hard, and the chestnut horse stood up, its hooves crushing the icy puddles on the roadside. Behind him, the newly-appointed scholars in plain robes held court documents in their hands, and the sheepskin scrolls rustled in the cold wind.

These young men in their early twenties had burning lights in their eyes. Some of them repeatedly stroked the edges of their waist badges, while others bowed their heads and recited strategies for governing the people. Only the sound of fluttering clothes could be heard among the team.

When the troops reached Lugou Bridge, the old soldier guarding the bridge looked at the endless army, his rough hands tightly grasping the rusty sword at his waist. Until he saw the apricot yellow flag fluttering in the front - it was the ceremonial guard of the emperor's personal army.

The old soldier's throat rolled, and he trembled as he took off his felt hat and saluted. But no one in the team looked at him, only the crisp sound of horseshoes hitting the stone bridge startled the jackdaws roosting in the reeds.

As dusk deepened, the team took a short break at the Zhuozhou Post Station. The young scholars sat around the campfire, discussing the pros and cons of the new policy over cold, hard pancakes. The firelight illuminated their young faces, some counting the number of reclaimed wastelands with their fingers, others frowning to analyze the loopholes in the salt and iron reform, and they were unaware of the sparks from the campfire splashing onto their clothes.

In the corner, several military candidates were wiping the newly issued ring-handled swords by the court. The blades reflected their resolute outlines. The red silk wrapped around the handles was tied by the emperor himself before going to the battle.

The night watch drum sounded, and the soldiers on duty wrapped their cloaks tightly and patrolled the camp. The moonlight shone on the neatly arranged tents, and amid the snoring, someone muttered "live up to the grace of the emperor" in a dreamlike voice, and then fell into silence again.

The sound of a night watchman's clapperboard came from afar, startling the horses tied to the shafts and making them paw at the ground restlessly. In the dust that was raised, the two characters "Qingzheng" (integrity) on the newly cast waist badge were still glowing in the moonlight.

…………

In the Hangzhou government office, the newly appointed prefect Li Wenyuan was reviewing documents at his desk. He was 38 years old this year, and was a former editor of the Hanlin Academy. He had a thin face and a scholarly air between his eyebrows, but his eyes were steady, and he wrote with force, without any hesitation of a new official.

There were more than 120 clerks, runners, and guards in the government office. They stood in the courtyard with different expressions. Some were uneasy, some pretended to be calm, and some bowed their heads and said nothing. It was obvious that they had heard about the new governor's swift and decisive actions.

"Sir Li, this is the land register that needs to be approved today." The clerk presented a thick stack of documents with both hands, his tone respectful yet tentative.

Li Wenyuan took it, opened the first page, and quickly scanned the densely packed numbers. He picked up the pen and dipped it in ink, drew red circles next to several numbers, and said lightly: "The number of acres reported by Yuhang County is 300 acres less than the amount measured by the imperial envoy. Let the county magistrate come to the government office tomorrow to explain."

The clerk's forehead was covered with cold sweat: "Sir, this... maybe the calculation is wrong?"

Li Wenyuan looked up at him and said, "If the calculation is wrong, replace it with someone who can calculate."

The clerk dared not say anything more and bowed and left.

Outside the door, several new officials were waiting to report. Like Li Wenyuan, they were all young talents selected by the new emperor himself. Although they had just arrived at the post, they were not unfamiliar or timid at all.

"Hangzhou Prefecture has nine counties under its jurisdiction. The tax books have been fully checked, and a total of 27,000 acres of hidden farmland have been found." A young official in a green official robe handed over a document: "Seven noble families were involved. According to the law, the official land has been taken over and distributed to tenants for cultivation."

Li Wenyuan nodded: "Do it cleanly and don't leave any room for criticism."

Another person stepped forward and said, "We have completed the inventory of the weapons of the Hangzhou Garrison. Sixty firearms are missing from the old account books, and there are three thousand arrows missing. The former commander Liu Kang has been detained, but he insists that it was due to loss over the years."

"loss?"

Li Wenyuan sneered, "Let him go to the imperial prison to explain what loss means."

Everyone exchanged glances, feeling uneasy.

Li Wenyuan paused, then slowly glanced at everyone. His eyes were like knives, as if he wanted to dissect everyone's thoughts.

After a long while, he said calmly: "You have served in the government office for many years, so you must be more familiar with the rules of this government office than I am."

Everyone held their breath and no one dared to respond.

Li Wenyuan casually flipped open a booklet: "Zhang Gui."

A middle-aged clerk trembled all over and stepped forward hurriedly: "I'm here."

"Last March, you were in charge of the grain register for disaster relief in Qiantang County. The actual amount of grain distributed was 800 dan, but the account book recorded 1,000 dan. Who pocketed the difference of 200 dan?"

Zhang Gui turned pale and knelt on the ground: "Your Excellency, please understand! I was forced by the county magistrate to make false accounts!"

Li Wenyuan sneered: "Forced? You took 30% of the 200 dan of grain. Is this also forced?"

Zhang Gui was speechless, his forehead resting on the ground, trembling all over.

"Drag him away, give him 80 strokes of the cane, remove him from the official register, and confiscate his property."

Li Wenyuan's voice was calm, but unquestionable.

Two officers came forward and dragged the limp Zhang Gui out. Everyone in the courtyard looked pale, and some of them had already started to tremble.

Li Wenyuan continued to call out the names: "Wang San."

A yamen runner stepped out tremblingly.

"Last December, you led people to seal up Li's Cloth Shop in the south of the city and embezzled five bolts of silk. Is this true?"

"grown ups…"

Wang San knelt down and kowtowed: "I was confused for a moment! I am willing to double the compensation!"

"According to the Great Ming Code, if an official embezzles money, he will be caned 60 times and sentenced to three years in prison."

Li Wenyuan closed the booklet and said calmly, "Since you took the initiative to plead guilty, the sentence will be reduced to forty strokes of the cane and one year of imprisonment. The losses of the cloth shop will be compensated by your property."

Wang Sanru was pardoned and kowtowed repeatedly:
"Thank you, sir!"

In this way, Li Wenyuan named 18 people in a row, and the evidence was conclusive. Some were punished with caning and salary deductions, while others were exiled and had their property confiscated. The atmosphere in the courtyard was as heavy as iron, and some people were already sweating profusely.

After dealing with the corrupt officials, Li Wenyuan's tone slowed down a little: "Of course, there are also people in the government office who perform their duties conscientiously."

He opened another booklet: "Chen An."

An old clerk in his fifties was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward hesitantly: "I'm here."

"You have worked in the government office for 28 years, handling countless accounts of money and grain, and have never made a mistake."

Li Wenyuan took out a document:
"This is the record of the account books you have handled over the years. Every detail is clear and accurate."

Chen An's eyes were slightly red, and he bowed and said, "I am just doing my duty."

Li Wenyuan nodded: "From today on, you will be promoted to the chief clerk of the government office, and your monthly salary will be increased by 30%."

Chen An looked up in shock, then bowed deeply: "I will do my best!"

"Zhao Cheng."

"Little is here!"

A young officer stepped out, he was in his early twenties, with a plain face.

"Last month, when you were patrolling the market, you found someone forcibly collecting 'land money'. You arrested him on the spot and sent him to the police, but you were stabbed three times."

Li Wenyuan pointed to the wound on his arm and said, "I need to use such an officer."

Zhao Cheng clasped his fists and said, "It's my job!"

"I will reward you for your meritorious service. I will promote you to the position of the leader of the express team and give you an additional ten taels of silver."

In this way, Li Wenyuan promoted nine people in a row, all of whom were diligent and down-to-earth officials who were not given important positions. Some received salary increases, some were promoted, and some were given real positions. The atmosphere in the courtyard gradually became lively, and hope rekindled in the eyes of many people.

After the handling was completed, Li Wenyuan stood up and announced: "From today on, the Hangzhou government office will implement new regulations."

"First, the monthly salary of officials will be increased by 50%, but those who embezzle even one cent will be required to pay ten times the amount and be caned and dismissed from their posts."

"Second, set up a 'cleaning officials department' to investigate officialdom. Anyone who reports illegal officials will be rewarded; anyone who shields them will be punished as well."

"Third, monthly evaluations will be conducted, with rewards for the best and penalties for the worst. Those who perform well for three consecutive months can be promoted."

Everyone listened attentively, some were secretly calculating, and some showed joy on their faces.

Li Wenyuan finally said: "I know that some of you had to go with the flow before. But from today on, as long as you perform your duties conscientiously, I will guarantee your future."

He paused, his tone turned cold: "But if there are still people who pretend to obey but actually disobey..."

"Boom!"

"Ahhh~~"

Suddenly, there was a muffled sound outside the courtyard, followed by Zhang Gui's screams. The caning had already begun.

Everyone was shocked and bowed in unison: "We will follow your instructions, sir!"

Three days later, the Hangzhou government office had a new look.

The clerks arrived at their posts early and kept the account books meticulously; the runners patrolled the streets conscientiously and no longer dared to take bribes or extort money; even the gatekeepers stood straight and did not dare to accept even a single copper coin as a "door gift".

In the teahouse in the south of the city, several old officials gathered in a corner and whispered. "Lord Li is trying to cut off our source of income!"

"Hush, keep your voice down! Have you forgotten what happened to Zhang Gui?"

"But how can I support my family with that little salary..."

An old official who had been silent all this time suddenly spoke up: "Chen An received a salary increase yesterday, a full three taels of silver."

Everyone was stunned.

The old official lowered his voice and said, "I have calculated that the new salary plus the evaluation bonus will not be much less than what I made before, so there is no need to worry."

Someone was shaken: "How about... give it a try?"

At the same time, in the back hall of the government office.

Li Wenyuan was listening to Zhao Cheng's report: "Sir, according to your instructions, I have arranged for several reliable people to infiltrate the gathering of those old officials."

"very good."

Li Wenyuan nodded and said, "Remember, our goal is not to kill them all, but to make them willingly walk the right path."

Zhao Cheng hesitated for a moment: "But sir, wouldn't this be too..."

"Too mild?"

Li Wenyuan smiled and said, "Thunderbolt measures can only treat the symptoms. If we want to truly change the administration of officials, we have to let them choose to change their ways."

...............

In the court of Jiaxing County, Cheng Ziqian sat under the plaque that read "A Clear Mirror Hanging High".

Mr. Zhang, who was kneeling in front of the hall, was wearing a long silk gown, and the jade pendant on his waist kept shaking with his trembling body.

"Your Majesty, it's clear."

Mr. Zhang rested his forehead against the blue brick floor:

"I collect rent according to the rules passed down by our ancestors, and never collect a single grain of rice more!"

Cheng Ziqian did not answer immediately. He flipped open the account book on the desk and stopped at a certain page: "How much was the rent paid by tenant Wang Laoliu's family in the twelfth month of last year?"

"This……"

Mr. Zhang rolled his eyes and said, "About... about three stones?"

"Five stones and eight buckets."

Cheng Ziqian took a stack of yellowed pages from his master's hand and said, "This is the IOU signed by Wang Laoliu. After the autumn harvest last year, he still owed you two stone and six dou of rent, right?"

There was a commotion among the people watching outside the hall. Several ragged peasants squeezed to the front row, and one of them suddenly knelt down and cried, "My Lord! Wang Laoliu is my father! After paying the rent, he had no food to survive the winter, and he starved to death!"

"quiet!"

Cheng Ziqian signaled the yamen runners to maintain order and continued to ask, "Mr. Zhang, what is your rent rate?"

"Fifty...fifty percent." Mr. Zhang's voice lowered.

"Fifty percent?"

Cheng Ziqian sneered and took out an official scale from under the table: "Come here, weigh the rent grain collected from Zhang's land yesterday."

The bailiff carried up a bag of rice.

When the bronze star on the official scale showed the weight of six dou, Cheng Ziqian raised his hand to stop:

"According to Jiaxing County standards, how much should this bag have?"

After checking, the master reported:
"My Lord, it should be five dou."

"Om-"

There was an uproar in the hall.

Zhang Yuan looked as if he was dead. He suddenly rushed to Cheng Ziqian and said, "You little brat! Do you know who I am? My cousin is..."

"Hold him down!"

Cheng Ziqian shouted sternly.

Four yamen runners immediately restrained the man, and one of them shook out a business card from his sleeve, which was a private letter from the Deputy Censor.

Cheng Ziqian threw the name card into the brazier without even looking at it: "I am ordered by the emperor to rectify the administration of Jiaxing. It is useless even if the deputy censor or the governor comes to intercede for me!"

Then he turned to look at the master and said, "Take people to Zhang's house and seal up the granary and the account office."

When the yamen runners were escorting Mr. Zhang back, Cheng Ziqian suddenly called out to them, "Wait."

He took out a brand new booklet from his desk and said, "Post this copy of the Equal Distribution Order on the Zhang family's front door."

The bailiff took his orders and left. But the onlookers were reluctant to leave, and some people whispered, "Does this county magistrate really dare to touch the Zhang family?"

"Hush... I heard he came with the Imperial Sword..."

Two hours later, the bailiffs who had conducted the search reported back one after another:

"Report! The Zhang family's warehouse actually has 2,400 dan of rice, but the account only records 800 dan."

"Report! We found three secret account books, which record bribes to officials over the years, totaling 6,700 taels."

"Report! Fifty dan of illegal salt was found in the cellar, and there were 17 unregistered land deeds."

Cheng Ziqian recorded everything and suddenly asked, "Where is Zhang's tenant now?"

The guard replied:

"They are all waiting outside the government office. There are more than 30 households."

"Let them in."

A moment later, a group of ragged farmers knelt tremblingly in the hall.

Cheng Ziqian walked down the steps and stood in front of an old farmer with chapped hands: "Father, how many acres of land would you like to rent from the Zhang family?"

"Reply...Reply to the master, twelve acres of paddy fields."

"According to the new Equal Land Distribution Order, how much should you get?"

Hearing this, the old farmer shook his head in confusion. Cheng Ziqian explained in person: "The land that the Zhang family illegally annexed must be returned to the tenants. You have been farming for twelve years, and according to the law you can get six acres of it as permanent land."

The old farmer stared at Cheng Ziqian in a daze, then suddenly collapsed to the ground. After a long while, he cried out, "God has eyes!"

Cheng Ziqian helped the old man up and announced to the crowd: "From today on, the Zhang family's land will be remeasured. Anyone who rents and cultivates the land for five years can get 30% of the land; those who rent and cultivate the land for ten years can get 50%."

Before the old farmer's cry had ended, a commotion suddenly broke out among the people watching outside the hall. Several tenants standing in the front row looked at each other, and one of them, a tall and thin man, suddenly pushed through the crowd and rushed in, and knelt down in front of Cheng Ziqian with a plop.

"Sir! I have also been renting the Zhang family's land for fifteen years!"

His voice trembled and his rough fingers tightly grasped the corner of his clothes.

Cheng Ziqian signaled the yamen runner to hand over the "Equal Field Order" and said, "Read it to him."

The yamen runner read aloud: "Any tenant who has rented the land for fifteen years or more can get 70% of the land he has cultivated..."

The tall and thin man suddenly collapsed to the ground as if his muscles and bones were pulled out, his forehead resting on the cold floor tiles, and his shoulders shaking violently.

There was an uproar outside the hall. Dozens of ragged tenants rushed forward, and the yamen runners had to hold water and fire sticks horizontally to maintain order.

"Sir! I've been growing it for eight years!"

"My family has been farming for the Zhang family for three generations!"

"Please ask the great Lord of Heaven to make the decision!"

A gray-haired old woman suddenly squeezed out of the crowd and tremblingly raised a cloth bag. The yamen runner was about to stop her, but Cheng Ziqian raised his hand to signal.

The old woman unwrapped the cloth bag and found three yellowed old land deeds inside.

(End of this chapter)